Charles Ishak
@cishak.bsky.social
Assistant Professor at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Our lab studies transposable elements and viral mimicry in (ovarian) #cancer initiation. #newPI
Lab site: https://www.mdanderson.org/research/departments-labs-institutes/labs/ishak-laboratory.html
Our lab studies transposable elements and viral mimicry in (ovarian) #cancer initiation. #newPI
Lab site: https://www.mdanderson.org/research/departments-labs-institutes/labs/ishak-laboratory.html
Reposted by Charles Ishak
We are thrilled to have Daniel De Carvalho (@daniel-decarvalho.bsky.social) from Princess Margaret Cancer Centre / University of Toronto as our Keynote speaker at #EREHD25. What a way to close 3 days of wonderful science. Thank you for being with us in Mexico Daniel!
November 6, 2025 at 12:16 AM
We are thrilled to have Daniel De Carvalho (@daniel-decarvalho.bsky.social) from Princess Margaret Cancer Centre / University of Toronto as our Keynote speaker at #EREHD25. What a way to close 3 days of wonderful science. Thank you for being with us in Mexico Daniel!
Thank you to @maialab.bsky.social , @rdrapkin8-penn.bsky.social and all organizers for a great OMCF meeting!
November 12, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Thank you to @maialab.bsky.social , @rdrapkin8-penn.bsky.social and all organizers for a great OMCF meeting!
Reposted by Charles Ishak
Reposted by Charles Ishak
This week, that idea reached patients: Viral-mimicry priming + anti-PD-1 in relapsed/refractory NK/T-cell lymphoma delivered 47.6% complete responses, 66.7% ORR, and ~50% 2-year OS, even after prior PD-1 failure (Huang, Cancer Discovery 2025).
November 7, 2025 at 9:38 PM
This week, that idea reached patients: Viral-mimicry priming + anti-PD-1 in relapsed/refractory NK/T-cell lymphoma delivered 47.6% complete responses, 66.7% ORR, and ~50% 2-year OS, even after prior PD-1 failure (Huang, Cancer Discovery 2025).
Reposted by Charles Ishak
Ten years ago, we discovered that reactivating transposable elements triggers an antiviral state in cancer cells, a process we named viral mimicry, unmasking tumors to the immune system (Roulois, Cell 2015).
November 7, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Ten years ago, we discovered that reactivating transposable elements triggers an antiviral state in cancer cells, a process we named viral mimicry, unmasking tumors to the immune system (Roulois, Cell 2015).
Congratulations @daniel-decarvalho.bsky.social !
The 2025 Canada Gairdner Awards Gala celebrated the eight laureates whose discoveries are transforming global human health — bringing together Canada’s science community for an inspiring evening at the ROM.
#GairdnerScienceWeek #GairdnerAwards
#GairdnerScienceWeek #GairdnerAwards
October 28, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Congratulations @daniel-decarvalho.bsky.social !
Reposted by Charles Ishak
The 2025 Canada Gairdner Awards Gala celebrated the eight laureates whose discoveries are transforming global human health — bringing together Canada’s science community for an inspiring evening at the ROM.
#GairdnerScienceWeek #GairdnerAwards
#GairdnerScienceWeek #GairdnerAwards
October 28, 2025 at 7:54 PM
The 2025 Canada Gairdner Awards Gala celebrated the eight laureates whose discoveries are transforming global human health — bringing together Canada’s science community for an inspiring evening at the ROM.
#GairdnerScienceWeek #GairdnerAwards
#GairdnerScienceWeek #GairdnerAwards
Reposted by Charles Ishak
Excited to share the Ovarian Cancer Research Syndicate line-up of speakers for the fall. Please share. We have amazing trainees presenting and the latest from leaders in the field.
@powelldrescher.bsky.social @srocf.bsky.social @pennmedcso.bsky.social @penncancer.bsky.social
@powelldrescher.bsky.social @srocf.bsky.social @pennmedcso.bsky.social @penncancer.bsky.social
September 22, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Excited to share the Ovarian Cancer Research Syndicate line-up of speakers for the fall. Please share. We have amazing trainees presenting and the latest from leaders in the field.
@powelldrescher.bsky.social @srocf.bsky.social @pennmedcso.bsky.social @penncancer.bsky.social
@powelldrescher.bsky.social @srocf.bsky.social @pennmedcso.bsky.social @penncancer.bsky.social
Reposted by Charles Ishak
"Unmasked: transposable elements as drivers and targets in cancer"
by Ting Wang & colleagues
"This review synthesizes a growing body of work that positions TEs as both catalysts and antagonists of the tumor state."
Check it out!
authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...
by Ting Wang & colleagues
"This review synthesizes a growing body of work that positions TEs as both catalysts and antagonists of the tumor state."
Check it out!
authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...
September 11, 2025 at 1:53 PM
"Unmasked: transposable elements as drivers and targets in cancer"
by Ting Wang & colleagues
"This review synthesizes a growing body of work that positions TEs as both catalysts and antagonists of the tumor state."
Check it out!
authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...
by Ting Wang & colleagues
"This review synthesizes a growing body of work that positions TEs as both catalysts and antagonists of the tumor state."
Check it out!
authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...
Reposted by Charles Ishak
Excited to have this paper out today!
Repeats mimic pathogen-associated patterns across a vast evolutionary landscape."
It was a fun and productive collaboration with Benjamin Greenbaum John LaCava, Simona Cocco, Petr Šulc and many others!
www.cell.com/cell-genomic...
Repeats mimic pathogen-associated patterns across a vast evolutionary landscape."
It was a fun and productive collaboration with Benjamin Greenbaum John LaCava, Simona Cocco, Petr Šulc and many others!
www.cell.com/cell-genomic...
Repeats mimic pathogen-associated patterns across a vast evolutionary landscape
An emerging hallmark of disease is transcription of pathogen-associated molecular
patterns from within the genome–known as viral mimicry. We propose a statistical physics
framework to measure “selecti...
www.cell.com
September 26, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Excited to have this paper out today!
Repeats mimic pathogen-associated patterns across a vast evolutionary landscape."
It was a fun and productive collaboration with Benjamin Greenbaum John LaCava, Simona Cocco, Petr Šulc and many others!
www.cell.com/cell-genomic...
Repeats mimic pathogen-associated patterns across a vast evolutionary landscape."
It was a fun and productive collaboration with Benjamin Greenbaum John LaCava, Simona Cocco, Petr Šulc and many others!
www.cell.com/cell-genomic...
Reposted by Charles Ishak
We published a detailed protocol for our Plate-CUT&Tag method on @protocolsio.bsky.social to accompany our recent preprint (www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...) give it a try! Feedback welcome! dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.n2bvjed5wgk5/v1
Plate CUT&Tag (Meers Lab version)
This protocol describes a method for carrying out CUT&Tag-Direct in 96 well microplates for high-throughput processing of samples by a single operator with only standard lab...
dx.doi.org
September 22, 2025 at 5:45 PM
We published a detailed protocol for our Plate-CUT&Tag method on @protocolsio.bsky.social to accompany our recent preprint (www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...) give it a try! Feedback welcome! dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.n2bvjed5wgk5/v1
Reposted by Charles Ishak
In his memory, Western has opened an equity-based graduate scholarship. Please consider supporting his final initiative if you are able: www.westernconnect.ca/beier ; thank you for all the time you spent and laughs you shared with him. We love and miss him so much already. - The Beiers
July 24, 2025 at 3:09 PM
In his memory, Western has opened an equity-based graduate scholarship. Please consider supporting his final initiative if you are able: www.westernconnect.ca/beier ; thank you for all the time you spent and laughs you shared with him. We love and miss him so much already. - The Beiers
Reposted by Charles Ishak
Congratulations to VAI's Dr. H. Josh Jang, who has been appointed to assistant professor in our Department of Cell Biology.
www.vai.org/article/van-...
www.vai.org/article/van-...
Van Andel Institute appoints cancer epigenetics expert Dr. H. Josh Jang as assistant professor – Van Andel Institute
Read about Van Andel Institute appoints cancer epigenetics expert Dr. H. Josh Jang as assistant professor on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in...
www.vai.org
July 1, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Congratulations to VAI's Dr. H. Josh Jang, who has been appointed to assistant professor in our Department of Cell Biology.
www.vai.org/article/van-...
www.vai.org/article/van-...
Reposted by Charles Ishak
Sharon Dent inducted to the National Academy of Sciences #nas162 @ekoutelou.bsky.social @srdent47.bsky.social @angelating.bsky.social @francescacole.bsky.social
April 25, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Sharon Dent inducted to the National Academy of Sciences #nas162 @ekoutelou.bsky.social @srdent47.bsky.social @angelating.bsky.social @francescacole.bsky.social
Dear @mdanderson.bsky.social ,
Please join us today in auditorium 4SCR1.1110 at 4pm for our Dept. seminar series. Today we welcome Dr. Marco Gallo from Baylor College of Medicine who will share the latest breakthroughs towards understanding chromatin regulation in brain malignancies.
Please join us today in auditorium 4SCR1.1110 at 4pm for our Dept. seminar series. Today we welcome Dr. Marco Gallo from Baylor College of Medicine who will share the latest breakthroughs towards understanding chromatin regulation in brain malignancies.
May 15, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Dear @mdanderson.bsky.social ,
Please join us today in auditorium 4SCR1.1110 at 4pm for our Dept. seminar series. Today we welcome Dr. Marco Gallo from Baylor College of Medicine who will share the latest breakthroughs towards understanding chromatin regulation in brain malignancies.
Please join us today in auditorium 4SCR1.1110 at 4pm for our Dept. seminar series. Today we welcome Dr. Marco Gallo from Baylor College of Medicine who will share the latest breakthroughs towards understanding chromatin regulation in brain malignancies.
Reposted by Charles Ishak
Check out Dr. Mendez-Dorantes' recent preprint for more details on his exciting research! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... 42/
Chromosomal rearrangements and instability caused by the LINE-1 retrotransposon
LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposition is widespread in many cancers, especially those with a high burden of chromosomal rearrangements. However, whether and to what degree L1 activity directly impacts genome...
www.biorxiv.org
May 9, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Check out Dr. Mendez-Dorantes' recent preprint for more details on his exciting research! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... 42/
Reposted by Charles Ishak
Looking forward to #AACR25! If you want to learn more about transposable elements in cancer, our educational session is at 10 am on Saturday 4/26!
@bengrbm.bsky.social @theaacr.bsky.social
@bengrbm.bsky.social @theaacr.bsky.social
April 25, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Looking forward to #AACR25! If you want to learn more about transposable elements in cancer, our educational session is at 10 am on Saturday 4/26!
@bengrbm.bsky.social @theaacr.bsky.social
@bengrbm.bsky.social @theaacr.bsky.social
Reposted by Charles Ishak
Such a great article by Mitch Leslie in @science.org about the potential of inhibiting LINE-1 RT – a genomic, virus-like repetitive element – to address a spectrum of diseases, including ROME’s focus: #neurodegenerative and #autoimmune diseases. www.science.org/content/arti...
#darkgenome
#darkgenome
Could blocking ‘jumping genes’ help fight disease and aging?
The first clinical trials are testing inhibitors of transposons, DNA sequences that hop around the genome on their own
www.science.org
April 18, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Such a great article by Mitch Leslie in @science.org about the potential of inhibiting LINE-1 RT – a genomic, virus-like repetitive element – to address a spectrum of diseases, including ROME’s focus: #neurodegenerative and #autoimmune diseases. www.science.org/content/arti...
#darkgenome
#darkgenome
Reposted by Charles Ishak
Congrats to the 4 winners of our Spatial Xcellerator Grant Program who are using Stereo-seq technology for spatial transcriptomics to uncover deeper insights into complex challenges like cancer, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer’s, and pediatric brain tumors.
www.completegenomics.com/spatial-xcel...
www.completegenomics.com/spatial-xcel...
Complete Genomics Names Four Winners of Spatial Xcellerator Grant Program - Complete Genomics
SAN JOSE, Calif., April 15, 2025 – Complete Genomics, a leading innovator in genomic sequencing, today announced four winners from 30 applicants to its Spatial Xcellerator Grant Program. Winning proje...
www.completegenomics.com
April 15, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Congrats to the 4 winners of our Spatial Xcellerator Grant Program who are using Stereo-seq technology for spatial transcriptomics to uncover deeper insights into complex challenges like cancer, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer’s, and pediatric brain tumors.
www.completegenomics.com/spatial-xcel...
www.completegenomics.com/spatial-xcel...
Reposted by Charles Ishak
🌟“Surprise is always the strongest signal that you found something new.”
Research from Gairdner awardee @daniel-decarvalho.bsky.social is unlocking powerful new tools impacting cancer clinical care, from interception, detection to therapy design and monitoring.
youtu.be/VpDpouQi8Wg
Research from Gairdner awardee @daniel-decarvalho.bsky.social is unlocking powerful new tools impacting cancer clinical care, from interception, detection to therapy design and monitoring.
youtu.be/VpDpouQi8Wg
Meet Dr. Daniel De Carvalho: viral mimicry response, cancer detection and interception
YouTube video by UHN Research
youtu.be
April 11, 2025 at 3:38 PM
🌟“Surprise is always the strongest signal that you found something new.”
Research from Gairdner awardee @daniel-decarvalho.bsky.social is unlocking powerful new tools impacting cancer clinical care, from interception, detection to therapy design and monitoring.
youtu.be/VpDpouQi8Wg
Research from Gairdner awardee @daniel-decarvalho.bsky.social is unlocking powerful new tools impacting cancer clinical care, from interception, detection to therapy design and monitoring.
youtu.be/VpDpouQi8Wg
Congratulations to my postdoctoral mentor Dr. @daniel-decarvalho.bsky.social on receiving the 2025 Gairdner Momentum Award from the @gairdnerawards.bsky.social ! This is an amazing achievement!
April 11, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Congratulations to my postdoctoral mentor Dr. @daniel-decarvalho.bsky.social on receiving the 2025 Gairdner Momentum Award from the @gairdnerawards.bsky.social ! This is an amazing achievement!
Reposted by Charles Ishak
Down to earth (as always) interview with @danieljdrucker.bsky.social on the impact of GLP1 agonists in fields of biology that he’d never anticipated but is leading the way on understanding - as awardee of th3 Breakthrough Prize with colleagues. www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/art...
Canadian scientist wins Breakthrough Prize for discovery of hormone used in Ozempic, Mounjaro
A Canadian researcher has won a 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for discovering the GLP-1 hormone used in diabetes and obesity medications — including Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro — that have...
www.ctvnews.ca
April 6, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Down to earth (as always) interview with @danieljdrucker.bsky.social on the impact of GLP1 agonists in fields of biology that he’d never anticipated but is leading the way on understanding - as awardee of th3 Breakthrough Prize with colleagues. www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/art...
Reposted by Charles Ishak
Surprising findings of BRCA mutations on the Fallopian tubes. Result of a tremendous team effort with @shenhui1986.bsky.social @vainstitute.bsky.social, Chuck Drescher @fredhutch.bsky.social, and Jarrod Marto @danafarber.bsky.social.
@pennmedcso.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
@pennmedcso.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Impact of BRCA mutations, age, surgical indication, and hormone status on the molecular phenotype of the human Fallopian tube - Nature Communications
The human Fallopian tube (FT) is implicated as a site of origin for pelvic serous cancers. Here the authors conduct multi-omics analysis on over 100 FTs. The results challenge the assumption that BRCA...
www.nature.com
March 27, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Surprising findings of BRCA mutations on the Fallopian tubes. Result of a tremendous team effort with @shenhui1986.bsky.social @vainstitute.bsky.social, Chuck Drescher @fredhutch.bsky.social, and Jarrod Marto @danafarber.bsky.social.
@pennmedcso.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
@pennmedcso.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Charles Ishak
exciting news for our scientific community! www.nygenome.org/news-events/...
Bing Ren Appointed Scientific Director and Chief Executive Officer of the New York Genome Center - March 27, 2025
Read about Bing Ren Appointed Scientific Director and Chief Executive Officer of the New York Genome Center at the New York Genome Center on March 27, 2025
www.nygenome.org
March 27, 2025 at 7:26 PM
exciting news for our scientific community! www.nygenome.org/news-events/...
Reposted by Charles Ishak
So happy to join the dream dean team at the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences!
We are pleased to welcome MD Anderson Cancer Center scientist and educator Francesca Cole, PhD, as our new associate dean for academic affairs! She is pictured fourth from left in the Cole Laboratory. Read more at go.uth.edu/FrancescaCole-AssociateDean-AcademicAffairs
@francescacole.bsky.social
@francescacole.bsky.social
March 21, 2025 at 11:16 PM
So happy to join the dream dean team at the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences!